August sundt



(No Model.) Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.. A. SUNDT. CONTROL APPARATUS FORELEVATORS.

Patented May-10,1898.

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ms NOPRIS Pcrans co DHGY (No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

A. SUNDT.

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ELEVATORS.

No. 603,665,. Patented May 10,1898.

mm Pm I n AUGUST SUNDT, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.,

PATENT OFFICE.

ASSIGNOR TO THE OTIS BROTHERS do COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ELEVATORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 608,665, dated May 10,1898.

Application filed April 24, 1897. Serial No. 633,781- (llTo model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST SUNDT, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Control Apparatus for Elevators,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to control apparatus for elevators; and it has forits object, gen- IO erally stated, to provide control apparatus wherebythe elevator may be automatically operated either from the car or fromany landing in the elevator-shaft, so that the car will move upward ordownward according to the position which it occupies and automaticallycome to a stop at the landing corresponding with the control deviceoperated, and this is accomplished in the manner and by meansconstructed and arranged substantially as more particularly hereinafterset forth; and

the invention consists in the features of construction and arrangementhaving the mode of operation substantially as hereinafter moreparticularly pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic viewillustrating the several electric circuits and means by which themovements of the elevator-car can be controlled through said circuitseither from the car or from the landings in the elevator shaft. Fig. 2is an enlarged plan view of the relays and reversing-switches andsectional view of the mechanical devices for controlling the latter, andFig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the frames operating thereversing-switch and setting the relay mechanism.

Heretofore it has been proposed to operate elevators from the car orfrom the various landings, so that the car will move to any par- 4 aticular landing and be automatically stopped by operating mechanismeither on the car or at the landing; but heretofore this has requiredthe use of considerable mechanism at each'fioorsuch, for instance, asreversingswitches, magnets, and the like-an d the construction andoperation of the parts have been comparativelycomplicated, while in myarrangement the operating devices are concentrated, so that they can belocated in a single position, thereby saving largely in the expense oferecting and establishing connections, as well as having them in a moreconvenient position for inspection and care after being placed inoperation.

Other features of my invention consist, generally stated, in providingreversingswitches and relays which are operated directly by the motivepower, and these operations are controlled by simple electrical deviceson the car and on the landings requir- 6o ing little wiring and a smallamount of current, thereby saving expense and avoiding danger to theapparatus or persons operating the same. The control device is soconstructed and arranged that itis practically a non-inter- 6 5 ferencelocking device operated by the motive power and not from the car orlandings, and is therefore simple, compact, and conveniently located ina single place instead of being distributed up and down the shaft.

Further features of the invention relate to different parts andcombinations of devices which conduce more or less to the smooth runningof the elevator, making the operations exceedingly simple, as well asproviding 7 5 a satisfactory safety operating mechanism, and thesefeatures will appear more fully hereinafter in pointing out theconstruction and arrangement of the parts necessary to carry out myinvention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings I have illustrated, principally diagrammatically, butwith suflicient structural features to enable those skilled in the artto make and use my invention, one form or embodiment of my inventionshowing its general mode of operation, and while I shall describe myinvention in connection with this construction it will be understoodthat the invention is not limited to this par- 0 ticular construction orarrangement of parts and that the elements of construction may be variedto meet the exigencies of any particular case. Moreover, while I haveshown my invention in connection with an electric 5 motor for operatingan elevator, it will be understood that other motors may be used, theybeing operated and controlled in wellknown ways, and while I haveillustrated the details ofconstruction of some of the devices referredto these details may be varied and other constructions substituted whichwill carry out the general principles of my invention.

In the drawings, A represents an elevator car or cage, while A A Aforinstance, represent different floors in the well of the elevator. Themotive power for operating the cage in this instance is shown as anelectric engine B, comprising the field-magnets B, the armature Bconnected directly to the shaft B which shaft in the present instance isprovided with suitable connections, as a worm-gear B, the worm-wheel Bof which (shown in Fig. 2) is on a shaft 0, carrying the winding-drum Cto which is connected the hoisting-cable C. In thisinstanceI have shownconnected with the motor a brake device B controlling the shaft B andcontrolled by an electromagnet B and I have also shown a safety cut-outand resistance device B arranged in the armature-circuit of the motorand operated by a magnet 13; but these devices are not of my presentinvention, and they may be used alone or in connection with otherappliances ordinarily used in operating and controlling electric motorsin connection with elevators.

Connected to be operated by the motor and in the present instanceconnected directly to the shaft 0 of the winding-drun1 is a screwshaftD, which rotates with the shaft, and mounted on this screw-shaft is atraveling nut E, which is arranged so as to move along the screw-shaftin opposite directions and is prevented from rotating therewith by anysuitable mechanismas, for instance, the guiderods E, which slide througha bracket E Mounted on the traveling nut E is a collar F, which is looseto rotate on the nut and is provided with an arm F, in this instancecarrying a friction-roller f at its extremity. This collar, whiletraveling with the nut E, is caused to rotate with the shaft D, andwhile any suitable means may be provided to accomplish this result Ihave shown a groove (1 in the shaft D and a pin f in the collar engagingthe groove, and the collar is provided with a set-screw f which enters agroove 6 in the nut and retains the parts together,while permittingtheir ready separation.

Arranged along the shaft D at proper intervals and of a numbercorresponding to the number of floors or stations are the frames G, andthese are shown in the form of rings (best illustratedin Fig. 3) mountedon suitable supports and having engaging devices adapted to cooperatewith the arm F of the collar F, and while various means may be providedI have indicated a simple and effective structure in the drawings. Inthis instance the annular frame G is shown as being hollow at g, havinga slot g on one side, in which is set a stud G, which can readily beadjusted at any desired position around the ring. Mounted on this studis a bifurcated arm G having the extensions g g projecting toward thecenter of the ring, and connected to the arm G is a cord or strap 9which is connected to the rocking lever G and this is connected directlyto the shifting rod I'I. These parts are so arranged that when the armF, traveling along the shaft D, passes through one of the rings G itsfriction-pulley f comes in contact with either one or the other of theextensions 9 or g on the arm G rockingthe same in one or the otherdirection, and this, through the medium of the cord or strap 9 operatesthe rocking lever G and positively moves the shifting rod H in onedirection or the other. This shifting rod is connected at one end withone of the circuit-reversing levers, as I, and at the other end with oneof the shifters or pull-offs J, which latter are adapted and arranged tocontrol the movements of the armatures K K, &c., of the relays L L, aswell as to pull off the armature and break the circuit in a mannerhereinafter described. These pull-offs are shown in the present instancein the form of sectors pivoted at j and having an enlargement j,cooperating with a pin or stud 7c on an extension of the armature-leverK.

Connected with the relays or their armatures is some interlocking devicewhich is arranged so that when one of the armaturedevers is closed tocomplete the circuit, as hereinafter described, all the otherarmature-levers of the relays are locked or held from op eration, ifperchance an attempt should be made to operate the mechanism by anyperson other than the one who first had cont-rel of the apparatus, andwhile many and various locking devices may be used Ihave shown anexceedingly simple and effective one, consisting, essentially, of aflexible cord or chain M, one end of which is secured, as at m, whilethe other end 071 is movable and preferably under the stress of aspringm the extent of movement of the end m being controlled by a stop mThis cord or chain M is arranged in juxtaposition to all of thearmature-levers K of the relays, and l have shown studs or stops on andstuds on the armature-levers, with the cord or chain passing betweenthese in such a manner that when one of the armature-levers K isattracted by its magnet L the slack of the cord or chain is taken up,preventing the armatures on the other relays operating until the firstarmature is released, thereby forming a lock which will permit only oneof the armatures to be operated to close the circuit at any one time.The relays are shown in the present instance as being doubly wound, andthat is the preferred arrangement in that it enables me to use a smallcurrent for primarily operating the relays, and then when the circuit isclosed by the relay to retain it closed by the main or motor circuit;but it is understood that any other equivalent arrangement of relays andcircuits may be substituted for that shown.

Having now described the construction of the mechanical parts of thedevice, I will describe the arrangement of circuits illustrated in theaccompanying drawings whereby the IIC apparatus is operated and explainthe general mode of operation.

As above indicated, one of the objects of my invention is to provide anarrangement requiring as little wiring as possible and to simplify thecircuits, both those controlling the relays and those operating theother parts of the device, as Well as to use a low current in connectionwith the elevator-car and on the difierent floors, and I have shown abattery O as furnishing a means of current for controlling the relaysand thereby the operative mechanism of the elevator.

In the present instance I have illustrated my device as applied inconnection with three separate floors, and it will be understood thatthere may be any number of floors, and preferably there are also devicesin the elevatorcar corresponding to the number of floors, so that thecar can be operated either from inside the car or from any floor.

Tracing the circuits of the battery 0, there is a conductor 1, leadingto push-buttons P on the car and connected with each one, and there is abranch leading to the push-buttons I P P &c., on the floors. Alsoconnected With the push-buttons P, both in the car and on the fioor, isa conductor 2, leading to the magnet L of one of the relays, and fromthere by a return-wire 6 to the battery, and connected to thepush-buttons P and P respec tively, both on the car and on the floors,are the conductors 3 4, which respectively lead to the magnets L and Lof the respective relays and back by the common return 6 to the battery. It will thus be seen that if any one of the push-buttons, eitheron the car or the floor, is operated to close the circuit the magnet ofthe corresponding relay is energized and attracts its armature. There isalso shown on the car a push-button P connected with the conductor 1,and arranged in connection with the button is a conductor 5, leading toa magnet N of the circuit-breaker or stop device, the armature N ofWhich is arranged in the main circuit so as to break the same when thepush-button P is operated, it being understood that this armature isheld in its nor mal position to close the main circuit under ordinaryconditions, but furnishes an emergency stop 011 the car, so that theelevator may be stopped at any instant and in any position desired. Itwill thus be seen that the wiring in connection with the car is verysimple, involving only a conductor leading from the battery and a returnfrom each push-button leading to a relay or other magnet and back to thebattery.

-The main or leading wires furnishing the current are represented at 10and 11,and there is an ordinary circuit-breaking switch S in the mainline, and the circuit may be traced through the conductor 10, by theconductor 12, to the safety cut-out and resistance device, thence to thearmature B of the motor, and thence to the return-circuit 11. In thisarrangement I have chosen to reverse the motor by reversing the circuitof the field-magnets, leaving the circuit through the armaturecontinuous; but it is well understood that I may reverse the circuit ofthe armature, leaving the circuit through the field-magnets continuous,or any other well-known arrangement for reversing the motor may beadopted. Leading from the main conductor 10 is a branch conductor 13,and branching from this are the cond uctors lat 16, each terminating inits respective contact-plate 17 18 19, in thepresent instance mounted onthe base of the relay-magnet. The return main circuit-conductor 11 isalso provided with branches 2O 21 22, respectively connected withterminals 23 24 25, also mounted in the present instance on therelay-magnets.

Mounted on the armature-levers K K, the. are respectively the pairs ofcontacts 27 28 29 3O 31, which are insulated from each other, and theseare connected by conductors 32 33 34L 35 36 37 with the opposite ends ofthe reversing-levers t' 2" t these ends being insulated from each other,as indicated. Arranged in connection with said reversing-levers are thecontacts 38 39 40 11 412 43 14 15 16 17 18 49, and these are connectedto the common conductors 5O 51, leading through the safety break-switchN to the field-magnets B of the motor. Branching from the conductors and51 is a conductor53, leading through the magnet B of the safety cut-outand resistance device B and also branching from the same conductors is aconductor 5st, leading to the magnet B of the brake device.

Assuming the parts to be in the position indicated in the drawings, withthe elevator going up, and assuming that either one of the push-buttonsP on the car or on the platform has been pressed, the magnet L of therelay has been energized, and the armature K moved to close the circuitthrough the terminals 17,23,26,and 27,aud to operate the locking device,so as to prevent any of the armatures of the other relays beingoperated, the workin g circuit may then be traced as follows: from theconductors 10 and 13, through the branch 14, to the contact 17, thenceto the contact 27,through one of the coils of the magnet L, thence byconductor 33 to the reversing-lever I, to the contact 39, to conductor50, thence through the field-magnets, back through the conductor 51 tothe contact 38, reversing-1e ver I, conductor 32, contacts 26 and 23,conductor 20, to conduct-or 11, and out, thereby energizing the mot-orto operate in a suitable direction to wind the drum to elevate the car,and at the same time the working circuit e11- ergizes the magnetL of therelay, so as to insure its armature being held in the position indicatedas long as the circuit is closed. \Vhen the elevator-car reaches itsproper position at the third floor, the traveling nut E has moved alongthe screw D in the direction indicated until the arm F has passed withinthe frame G and has come in contact with the extension g and shifted therocking lever G to move the shifting rod 11, and thereby the pull-off J,to the position indicated in dotted lines. lVhile this is being done,the enlargement j of the pull-off has come in contact with the stop andforcibly moved the armature-lever K, breaking the circuit of itscontacts, and the circuit being also broken through the magnet B thebrake is operated to quickly stop the motor and hence the car, and theparts remain in this position until another one of the push-buttons hasbeen operated. Suppose now a person on the first floor desires to usethe car. He presses the button P 011 that floor, energizing the magnet Lattracting its armature K and closing the main circuit through thecontacts connected therewith. It will be seen that the pull-off J 2 isin position to permit its armature to be operated as well as the lockingdevice M, and when this armature is operated it takes up the slack ofthe locking device and prevents the movement of any of the otherarmatures.

It Will be seen that the circuit-reversing lever I is in a position tochange the direction of the circuit through the contacts 50 and 51,thereby reversing the current through the field-magnets of the motor,causing it to opcrate in an opposite direction from what it did before,thereby lowering the car and moving the traveling nut in a directionopposite from that of the arrow. As this thus moves the arm F comes incontact with the extensions g on the various frames G, operating thepull-oifs and reversing-levers I and setting them in position to closethe circuit in the opposite direction through the motor. It will thus beseen that as the car passes any landing in one direction itautomatically sets the reversing-lever and pull-off in position to closethe circuit in a proper direction to move the elevator in the directioncontrary to which it is traveling, so that no matter what may be itsposition on pressing any button on any floor or the button in the carcorresponding thereto the parts are in position to automatically closethe circuit to operate the mechanism to bring the car to the desiredfloor, and when it reaches that floor the circuit is automaticallybroken, stopping the car in the desired position.

From this general description the mode of operation will be clearlyunderstood and the advantages of my invention will be perceived by thoseskilled in the art. It will be seen that I provide a non-interferencelocking device which is operated on the closing of one of the push-buttons and prevents any possible interference with the movements of thecar after it is once started, and when the car reaches the desiredposition the non-interfering locking device is operated from the motorby the pull-01f, the reversing-levers and other pull-offs being set inproper position to cause the car to travel to any other landing thepush-button of which is operated. Moreover,

conjunction with the motor and may be a part of the same base, although,of course, it is understood that the various parts of the mechanism maybe located in another part of the building and operated through suitabletransmission mechanism, if desired; but in each case the arrangement ofmoving parts within the well is avoided and the working circuit isentirely disconnected from the car, the floors, or the conductorsleading thereto. The mechanism is exceedingly simple and not liable toget out of order, being positive in its action and may be duplicated foranynumber of floors desired without undue extension and complication ofparts. All of the operations are automatic, positive, and safe.

IVhat I claim is- 1. In an elevator control device, the combination withthe motor and working circuit therefor, of local circuits operated fromthe car or floor, and a non-interfering locking device operated by alocal circuit and released by the motor, substantially as described.

2. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor andworking circuit therefor, of local circuits operated from the car orfloor, relays in said circuits, and a noninterfering device operated bya relay in a local circuit and released by the motor, substantially asdescribed.

3. In an elevator control device, the combination with a motor andworking circuits therefor, of local circuits including relays, anon-interfering locking device operated by the armatures of the relays,and pull-off devices for the lockin devices operated by the motor,substantially as described.

4. In an elevator control device, the combination with a motor andworking circuits, of local circuits including relays, a non-interferinglocking device, pull-offs, and reversing devices, the pull-offs andreversing devices being operated by the motor, substantially asdescribed.

5. In an elevator control device, the com bination with the motor andworking circuits therefor, of reversing devices for the motor, and anon-interfering locking device, the latter being released and thereversing devices being set by the motor, substantially as described.

6. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor, ofreversing devices, non-interfering locking devices, relays and localcircuits operated from the car or floor, a stop or cut-out, andconnections for operating it from the car, substantially as dcscribed.

7. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor, of adirect armature-circuit therefor, a reversing field-magnet circuittherefor, reversing-levers controlling said circuit, and mechanism foroperating said reversing-levers connected with the motor, substantiallyas described.

8. In an elevator control device, the comall this apparatus is located,preferably, in bination with the motor, reversing devices,

and non-interfering locking devices,of a traveling device connected tobe operated by the motor and arranged to operate the reversing devicesand locking devices in succession, substantially as described.

9. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor,reversing devices, and non-interfering locking devices,of a travelingdevice connected to be operated by the motor, and connections betweenthe respective reversing devices and locking devices whereby they areoperated together to set the parts in position to permit the elevatormoving up or down from any prior position, substantially as described.

10. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor andmain circuit for operating the motor, of non-interfering lookingdevices, relays, and local circuits connected with the relays andarranged so that when the relay is operated by the local circuit themain circuit is completed through the relay, substantially as described.

11. In an elevator control device, the com bination with the motor andmain circuit therefor, of relays and local circuits therefor thearmatures of the relays being connected to the main circuit for closingthe same, and non-interfering locking devices connected with thearmatures to prevent the operation of more than one at a time,substantially as described.

12. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor andmain circuit therefor, relays and local circuits therefor, of armaturesfor the relays arranged to close the main circuit, and pull-01f devicesconnected with the armatures for breaking the main circuit,substantially as described.

13. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor andmain circuit therefor, relays and local circuits therefor, of armaturesfor closing the main circuit, noninterfering locking devices for thearmatures, and pull-off devices for breaking the main circuit,substantially as described.

14. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor andmain circuit therefor, relays and local circuits therefor, of armaturesfor the relays for closing the main circuit, pull-01f devices forbreaking the main circuit, reversing switches connected with thepull-off devices, and means for operating the same from the motor,substantially as described.

15. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor andmain circuit therefor, relays and local circuits therefor, of means forclosing the main circuit, noninterfering locking devices therefor,pull-off devices, reversing-switches, and means for operating the sameconnected with the motor, substantially as described.

16. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor andmain circuit therefor and relays and local circuits there for, of meanscontrolled by the relays for closing the main circuit, and anon-interfering locking device consisting of a band and stops therefor,substantially as described.

17 In an elevator control device, the combination with themain-circuit-closing devices, of a flexible band and stops therefor, andstops on the circuit-closing devices arranged so that when one of saidcircuit-closing devices is operated none of the others can be operated,substantially as described.

18. In an elevator control device, the combination with themain-circuit-closing devices, of a flexible band and stop devicestherefor arranged to permit the operation of but one of thecircuit-closing devices at a time, and pull-off devices arranged tooperate the circuit-closing devices, substantially as described.

19. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor andcircuits therefor, of reversing-levers, a screw connected to be operatedby the motor, a traveling nut on the screw, and connections whereby thenut operates the reversing-levers, substantially as described.

20. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor andcircuits therefor, of re\'*ersing-levers, a screw operated by the motor,a traveling nut on the screw, shifting rods, and connections between thenut and shifting rods whereby the reversing-levers are operated,substantially as described.

21. In an elevator control device, the combination with the motor andmain circuit therefor, of relays and local circuits therefor, armaturesconnected to close the main circuit, non-interfering locking devicesconnected with the armatures, pull-offs for operating the armatures tobreak the circuit, circuitreversing levers, a screw operated by themotor, a nut traveling on the screw, and connections between the screwand reversing-levers and pull-offs, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUST SUNDT.

Witnesses:

.I. FRED LooKwooD, R. 0. SMITH.

